Backlight assembly for liquid crystal display panel and support thereof

ABSTRACT

A backlight assembly for a liquid crystal display panel. The assembly includes a lamp housing; a lamp; a diffuser plate; and a plurality of supports. Each support has first and second members. The first member has a body and a groove formed in the body for holding the lamp and attaching the lamp to the lamp housing. A cushioning member may be disposed around a section of the lamp and between the lamp and the first member for providing cushioning therebetween. The second member has an elongated body for supporting the diffuser plate when it attempts to sag or distort.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/748,601 filed Dec. 30, 2003 for a Support for Backlight Module, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,974,221. The foregoing application is hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth fully herein.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display, and more particularly, to a backlight assembly for a liquid crystal display with a support structure that integrates a lamp holder with a diffuser plate prop, more particularly, to a backlight assembly for a liquid crystal display with a support structure that prevents dark zone ,and more particularly, to prevent generating dark band.

One type of flat panel display is a liquid crystal display(LCD). LCDs are finding increasing use in laptop and desktop computers, as large monitors of 30 inches or greater, and as wall-mount TVs.

Most LCDs require an illumination source, or backlight assembly, for backlighting the LCD panel so that an imaged displayed on the LCD panel can be observed by a viewer. Backlight assemblies may be classified into two types : edge type and direct type. Direct type backlight assemblies are typically used in large sized LCDs of 30 inches or greater.

The direct type backlight assembly typically includes a plurality of cylindrical-shape lamps, a reflector sheet and a diffuser plate. The reflector sheet reflects light irradiated from the lamps in the display area so as to avoid loss of light. The diffuser plate diffuses light in an upper portion of the lamps to emit uniform light.

One problem associated with conventional backlight assemblies, especially those sized for use in large sized LCDs, is that the diffuser plate and the lamps tend to sag and/or deform due to their large size. Specifically, the large diffuser plate tends to sag because it is relatively heavy compared to its thickness, which is typically only about 2 to 3 mm. In addition, the heat of the lamps and moisture from the environment tend to cause the diffuser plate to deform. The lamps tend to sag and/or deform because they usually have a length of 30 inches or longer and a diameter of only about 3 to 4 mm. The sagging and/or deformed diffuser plate and/or lamps produce a non-uniform light, which undesirably causes dark and bright spots in the image displayed on the LCD panel.

To prevent the diffuser plate from sagging, various types of structures have been developed in the prior art. For example, spacer pin structures have been developed, which extend between the diffuser plate and the reflection sheet to prevent the diffuser plate from sagging and deforming. However, these spacer pin structure do not address the sagging and deforming lamp problem.

Other structures have been developed in the prior art, which attempt to address both the sagging diffuser plate and the sagging lamp problem. These supporting structures combine a lamp holder with a spacer pin structure. One difficulty with these structures is that lamp breakage can occur because the lamps are seated directly on rigid lamp holder portions. Moreover, external impacts or oscillations experience by the LCD display can cause the lamps to escape from the holders.

Referring FIGS. 1A and 1B, an O-ring 15 encircles a section of the lamp 10 supported by the supporting structure for cushioning.

There is, however a cushioning problem between the lamp and the supporting member. To increase a cushioning member, an O-ring 15, disposed about the supporting structure to cover a section of the lamp 10, helps to cushion the lamp and the supporting structure. In the FIGS. 1A and 1B, the supporting member is omitted, revealing the O-ring 15 and the lamp 10. When the lamp 10 encounters force, the O-ring 15 provides cushioning between the lamp 10 and the supporting member and prevents breakage of the lamp 10. A conventional O-ring is made of resilient, transparent material, i.e. a transparent silica gel to prevent generating dark points on an LCD. When the backlight module lightens, heat is transmitted from the lamp to the supporting member via the O-ring being installed completely therebetween. Because the contact area between the O-ring, the lamp and the supporting member is more extensive, the heat conduction velocity is faster, thus, the temperature around the section of the lamp contacting the O-ring is decreased. The lamp, CCFL, generates varied brightness with varied temperature. The temperature in CCFL is too low, thus, the mercury therein can not be evaporated to make brightness of the supporting member dark, causing brightness of the LCD non-uniform.

Accordingly, a lamp holder and diffuser plate support structure for LCD backlight assemblies is needed that overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art.

SUMMARY

A backlight assembly is disclosed for a liquid crystal display panel. The backlight assembly of the invention provides support a lamp and a diffuser The backlight assembly includes a lamp housing; a lamp; a diffuser plate; and a plurality of supports. The supports each has first and second members and cushioning member. The first member has a body and a groove formed in the body for holding the lamp and attaching the lamp to the lamp housing and a cushioning member may be disposed between the first member and lamp. The cushioning member encircles a section of the lamp for providing cushioning between the lamp and the first member. The second member has an elongated body for supporting the diffuser plate when it attempts to sag or distort.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention can be more fully understood by reading the subsequent detailed description in conjunction with the examples and references made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A is an elevational view of a O-ring for supporting a lamp.

FIG. 1B is a section of a O-ring and the lamp.

FIG. 2A is an exploded perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of a direct-type LCD backlight assembly.

FIG. 2B is a plan view of a lamp housing of the backlight assembly of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 3A is a sectional of the lamp housing of the backlight assembly showing a first illustrative embodiment of a lamp holder and diffuser panel support.

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the lamp holder and diffuser panel support shown in FIG. 3A and lamp.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of an upper member of the lamp holder and diffuser panel support shown in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of a lower member of the lamp holder and diffuser panel support shown in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4C is an elevational view of the lower member of the lamp holder and diffuser panel support shown in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 5A is an elevational view of a cushioning member and lamp used with the lamp holder and diffuser panel support.

FIG. 5B is an elevational view of the cushioning member and lamp.

FIG. 6 is a sectional drawing of the lamp housing of the backlight assembly illustrating the use of lower member of the lamp holder and diffuser panel support without the upper member.

FIG. 7 is an exploded, elevational view of a second illustrative embodiment of the lamp holder and diffuser panel support.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 2A and 2B collectively show an illustrative embodiment of a direct-type LCD backlight assembly 10. The backlight assembly t0 includes a lamp housing 20, a reflector sheet 30, one or more lamps 40, a plurality of supports 50 each of which integrates a lamp holder with a diffuser plate prop (FIG. 3A), a diffuser plate 60, one or more optical films 70, and a frame member 80. The backlight assembly 10 is adapted to secure a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel and circuit parts(not Shown).

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the lamp housing 20 comprises a peripheral mounting flange 21 and a bottom wall 22 which is spaced from the plane of the mounting flange 21 by inclined side walls 23. The reflector sheet 30 is disposed on the inner surfaces of the lamp housing walls 22 and 23, and reflects light irradiated from the lamps 40 to maximize the light output of the assembly 10. The diffuser plate 60 is mounted over the lamps 40 on the mounting flange 21 of the lamp housing 20 and diffuses light irradiated from the lamps 40 to generate a uniform light pattern. The optical film 70 is disposed over the diffuser plate 60 and enhances the brightness of the diffused light. The optical film 70 may be omitted to reduce the cost of the backlight assembly in applications where enhanced light brininess is not essential.

The number of lamps 40 utilized in the backlight assembly 10 generally depends upon the size of the backlight assembly. The size of the backlight assembly generally corresponds to the size of LCD panel for which the backlight assembly is intended to be used for. For example, 12-16 lamps may be used in a backlight assembly sized for a 20 inch LCD panel, 16-18 lamps may be used in the backlight assembly sized for a 30 inch LCD, and 25-30 lamps may be used in a backlight assembly sized for a 46 inch LCD panel.

Referring to FIG. 3B, each lamp 40 comprises an elongated, cylindrical lamp body 41. The lamps 40 may be cold or hot cathode fluorescence type lamps.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the lamps 40 may extend across the width W of the lamp housing bottom wall 22 and may be parallel spaced from one another along the length L of the bottom wall 22 at constant intervals. One or more lamp holder and diffuser plate (LHDP) supports 50 are used for securely attaching the lamps 40 to the bottom wall 22 of the lamp housing 20 and supporting the diffuser plate 60 when it attempts to sag or distort. The exact number of LHDP supports 50 depends upon the length and width of the diffuser plate 60 (which has approximately the same length and width of the corresponding LCD panel) and the length of the lamps 40. The LHDP supports 50 are provided at optimal positions to support the diffuser plate 60 and hold the lamps 40 without sagging and/or distortion.

FIGS. 3A and 3B collectively show a first illustrative embodiment of the LHDP support 50. As shown, each LHDP support 50 comprises a first, or lower member 100, a second or upper member 200 and a cushioning member 45. The lower member 100 is configured for holding the lamp 40 and attaching it to the bottom wall 22 of the lamp housing 20 and the upper member 200 is configured for supporting the diffuser plate 60, when it attempts to sag or distort. The cushioning member 45 between the first member 100 and lamp 40 encircles a section of the lamp 40, providing cushioning therebetween and preventing external force from breaking the lamp 40. As best shown in FIG. 4B, the lower member 100 includes a body 110 that may be circular as in the shown embodiment. In other embodiments, the body 110 may be square or rectangular, for example. The body 110 as shown may have a generally planar upper surface 120, a generally planar lower surface 130 and a cylindrical side wall surface 140 that extends between the upper and lower surfaces 120, 130. A lamp retaining groove 150 is defined in the upper surface 120 of the body 110 and divides the cylindrical side wall 140 into opposing, resilient side wall sections 140 a and 140 b. As illustrated in FIG. 4C, the retaining groove 150 has a diameter G.

As shown in FIG. 4C, the retaining groove 150 has a cross-sectional profile that may be somewhat greater than a semi-circle, i.e., somewhat greater than 180 degrees. This cross-sectional profile provides a groove opening width W that is slightly smaller than the diameter G of the groove 150. Because the side wall sections 140 a and 140 b and cushioning member 45 are resilient, the lamp 40 and corresponding cushioning member 45 may be snap-fitted into the retaining groove 150. Overhanging portions 141 a and 141 b of respective side wall sections 140A and 140B securely retain the lamp 40 and corresponding cushioning member 45 in the groove 150.

FIG. 5A is a part enlarged drawing of the cushioning member 45 and lamp 40. In particular, the first member 100 and second member 200 are omitted in FIG. 5A. The cushioning member 45 is formed with a base 451 and two curved supporting portions 452 and 453 and is a transparent unit with monocoque. The base 451 and curved supporting portions 452 and 453 on two ends of the base 451 connect to the lamp 40. In this embodiment, the circumferential angle of the curved supporting portions 452 and 453 is greater than 180 degrees. In other embodiments, the circumferential angle of the curved supporting portions 452 and 453 may be a semicircle or less than a semicircle. The curved supporting portions 452 and 453 are separated by a gap L. Further, when cushioning member 45 encircles the section of the lamp 40, the diameter of the retaining groove 150, G, is equal to the outer diameter Do of the cushioning member in the FIG. 5B. The section of the lamp 40 installed in the gap L between the curved supporting portions 452 and 453 cannot connect to cushioning member 45. The curved supporting portions 452 and 453 and the base 451 support the lamp 40 to provide the least amount of contact area and to provide cushioning therebetween. The reduced contact area reduces the heat lost conducted from the surface of the lamp 40 to the cushioning member 45 to keep each section of the lamp temperature uniform to prevent dark bands.

Referring again to FIG. 4A and 4B, opposing recesses 151 a and 151 b may be defined in the surface 151 of the retaining groove 150, adjacent to the upper surface 120 of the body 110. The recesses 151 a, 151 b receive locking members 260 a, 260 b of the corresponding upper member 200 of the LHDP support 50. The bottom of each recess 151 a and 151 b may include a respective locking aperture 152 a and 152 b. The locking apertures 152 a, 152 b receive opposing locking shoulders 261 a, 261 b of respective locking members 260 a, 260 b of the upper member 200.

A pair of resilient locking projections 160 a and 160 b depend from the lower surface 130 of the lower member body. 110. The locking projections 160 a and include respective opposing locking protrusions 161 a and 161 b which snap fit into a corresponding locking aperture (not shown) in the bottom wall 22 of the lamp housing 20.

The lower member 100 of the LHDP support 50 may be made from a plastic material using conventional plastic forming methods, such as injection molding. The lower member 100 may be formed as a single, unitary member, or may be made in separate parts which are mechanically fastened, glued or otherwise secured to one another.

The lower member 100 of the LHDP support 50 may be coated with a reflective material using conventional methods, such as plastic plating. The reflective coating helps to prevent darks spots in the images displayed by the LCD display panel.

As best shown in FIG. 4A, the upper member 200 of the LHDP support 50 comprises an elongated body which may have an inverted frusto-conical 210 shape with an upper, generally planar contact wall 220, a lower, generally planar base wall 230, and a frusto-conical side wall 240 separating the contact and base walls 220, 230. An inverted V-shape groove 250, defined in the lower base wall 230, divides the conical side wall 240 into opposing wall sections 240 a and 240 b, which have sufficient rigidity to prevent the diffuser plate 60 from sagging into the lamp housing 20.

The contact wall 220 of the upper member 200 is typically spaced a very small distance, e.g., about 0.3 mm to about 0.5 mm, from the lower surface of the diffuser plate 60. If the diffuser plate begins to sag, the lower surface thereof will contact the planar contact wall 220 of the upper member 200, and will not sag any further. The inverted V-shape groove 250 is provided to allow a space for the lamp 40 and the cushioning member 45 seated below in the lower member 100 of the LHPD support 50.

The locking members 260 a and 260 b with their corresponding opposing locking shoulders 261 a and 261 b respectively, depend from side wall sections 240 a and 240 b respectively of the upper member body 210. The locking members 260 a, 260 b couple the upper member 200 of the LHDP support 50 to the lower member 100 of the LHDP support 50.

When coupled, the upper member locking members 260 a and 260 b sit in the recesses 151 a, 151 b of the lower member 100 and the upper locking shoulders 261 a, 261 b of the upper member 200 extend through the locking apertures 152 a, 152 b of the lower member 100.

The upper member 200 of the LHDP support 50 may be made of a transparent material having the rigidity to support the diffuser plate 60. For example, the upper member 200 may be made from polymethylmethacrylate plastic or acrylic plastic using conventional plastic, forming methods, such as injection molding. The transparent upper member 200 of the LHDP support 50 allows light to pass therethrough from the under lying lamp section, thus, helping to prevent darks spots in the images displayed by the LCD display panel. The upper member 200 may be formed as a single, unitary member, or may be made in separate parts which are mechanically fastened, glued or otherwise secured to one another.

As shown in FIG. 6, the lower member 100 of one or more of the LHDP supports 50 may be used without the upper member 200. For example, the upper members 200 of the LHDP supports 50 may be omitted in areas of the lamp housing 20 where diffuser plate 60 does no sag, but where a lamp holder is still needed to avoid lamp sagging and distortion.

FIG. 7 shows a second illustrative embodiment of the LHDP support 50′. The support 50′ is substantially identical to the support 50 of the first illustrative embodiment, except, that the upper member 200′ has a semi-circular retaining groove 250′ with a cross-sectional profile of a semi-circle (instead of an inverted V-shape groove) and a diameter G_(U) which is sized to be approximately equal to the outer diameter D_(o) of the cushioning member 45. The upper member 200′ aids in retaining the lamp 40 in the groove 150′ of the lower member 100′. The retaining groove 150′ of the lower member 100′ may have the cross-sectional profile (slightly greater than a semi-circle) that provides a groove opening width W that is slightly smaller than the diameter R_(o) of the cushioning O-ring 45, or may have a cross-sectional profile of a semi-circle. In either embodiment, retaining groove 150′ has diameter G_(L) which is sized to be approximately equal to the outer diameter D_(o) of the O-ring 45.

It is to be understood that one skilled in the art may make many variations and modifications to the subject matter described herein. Any and all of such variations and modifications are intended to be within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. 

1. A support for use in a backlight assembly of a liquid crystal display panel, comprising: a first member having a body and a groove formed in the body for holding a lamp of the backlight assembly, the first member attaching the lamp to a lamp housing of the backlight assembly; a second member connecting to the first member and having an elongated body for supporting a diffuser plate of the backlight assembly; and a cushioning member between the first member and the lamp partially encircling a section of the lamp, thereby providing cushioning therebetween; wherein the cushioning member comprises a base and two curved supporting portions on two ends of the base, respectively, and the base and curved supporting portions are adapted to connect to the lamp.
 2. The support according to claim 1, wherein the curved supporting portions has an interval formed therebetween.
 3. The support according to claim 1, wherein the cross-section of the curved supporting portions is semicircular.
 4. The support according to claim 1, wherein the cross-section of the curved supporting portions is greater than a semicircle.
 5. The support according to claim 1, wherein the cross-section of the curved supporting portions is less than a semicircle.
 6. The support according to claim 1, wherein the base and the curved supporting portions are a single and unitary member.
 7. The support according to claim 1, wherein the cushioning member is transparent.
 8. The support according to claim 1, wherein the body of the first member includes a locking member for attaching the first member to the lamp housing of the backlight assembly.
 9. The support according to claim 1, wherein the body of the second member has a conical shape.
 10. The support according to claim 1, wherein the second member further comprises a planar contact wall.
 11. The support according to claim 1, wherein a body of the second member further comprises a groove for providing clearance for the lamp.
 12. The support according to claim 3, wherein the groove is adapted to retain the lamp in the groove of the first member.
 13. The support according to claim 1, wherein the body of the first member further comprises a reflective surface.
 14. The support according to claim 1, wherein a body of the second member is transparent.
 15. The support according to claim 1, wherein a body of the second member further comprises a locking member.
 16. The support according to claim 8, wherein the body of the first member further comprises a recess for engaging the locking member.
 17. The support according to claim 8, wherein the locking member includes a locking shoulder that extends through an aperture at a bottom of the recess.
 18. The support according to claim 1, wherein the groove of the body of the first member has a cross-sectional profile which is slightly greater than a semi-circle.
 19. A backlight assembly for a liquid crystal display panel, comprising: a lamp housing; a lamp; a diffuser plate; and a support comprising: a first member having a body and a groove formed in the body for holding the lamp, the first member attaching the lamp to the lamp housing; a second member, connected to the first member, having an elongated body for supporting the diffuser plate; and a cushioning member, located between the first member and the lamp, for partially encircling a section of the lamp and for providing cushioning therebetween; wherein the cushioning member comprises a base and two curved supporting portions on two ends of the base, respectively, and the base and curved supporting portions are adapted to connect to the lamp. 